-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- A modern-day David and Goliath story is unfolding in Washington state over whether you have the right to know what 's in the food you purchase . The outcome will likely have national implications .

What 's at stake is I-522 , the initiative that would mandate labeling food that is genetically modified . In support , you have a large grassroots movement that includes farmers and ranchers , fishermen , business owners and consumers . On the other side , you have a handful of large corporations such as Monsanto , Dupont and Dow that are fueling the food fight by spending millions of dollars to stop the people 's right to know .

For Ben and myself , it 's simple -- being honest with your customers is the foundation of good business . Companies ought to be proud of the ingredients they use and the products they sell , and they ought to be happy to disclose what 's in those products .

About 60 % to 70 % of processed foods contain laboratory-grown , genetically modified ingredients known as GMOs -- genetically modified organisms . According to a New York Times poll released in July , 93 % of Americans want labels on food with GMOs .

Eatocracy : How is genetically modified food labeled ?

GMO labeling is being considered in almost 30 states . Maine and Connecticut have passed mandatory GMO labeling laws . But in a political system where money talks , too often the people are silenced .

According to analysis from Maplight.org , a similar initiative failed in California last year after opponents spent $ 46 million -- five times more than proponents . In Washington , supporters of labeling have raised money from more than 13,000 contributors , with the median donation of $ 25 a pop . The opposition , on the other hand , has raised money from 10 donors , with the average donation of $ 545,827 . As a result , the citizens who support labeling are being outspent three to one .

If I-522 passes in Washington , it would be the first no-strings-attached legislation for mandatory labeling . And that 's a good thing . It would create the momentum and the precedent for more states and federal protections to follow . In other words , it would be another big win for David .

Residents of Washington have a big opportunity to vote yes on I-522 and turn the tide on labeling laws . In the long term , we need to level the playing field by reducing the amount of money that big corporations spend influencing legislation and elections .

While I 've been in Washington lending my voice to Yes on I-522 , Ben has been traveling around the country with StampStampede.org -- a grassroots movement of tens of thousands of people who are legally stamping messages on dollars that say `` Not to be Used for Bribing Politicians '' to support the national movement to #GetMoneyOut of politics . Momentum is building .

The use of GMO ingredients in food is similar to the issue of money in politics . At the very least , there should be transparency and disclosure .

People deserve to know what ingredients are in their food and whose money is being spent to influence the laws . In the best-case scenario , we should get big money out of politics , stop big corporations from influencing our laws and reclaim our republic for `` We the People . ''

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writers .

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Ben Cohen , Jerry Greenfield : You have the right to know what 's in your food

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Washington state to vote on whether to require labels on genetically modified food

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Writers : A grassroots movement is pitted against agribusinesses such as Monsanto

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Writers : Corporations spending millions should not determine the outcome of the vote